Waking Up in Vegas | Travel Diary & Tips

Hi lovely reader! Happy September and Happy Labor Day weekend to you US readers! I hope you are having a relaxing weekend! A few months ago I took a quick three day trip to Las Vegas to see the Queen, Miss Celine Dion. It was my first time visiting so naturally I took loads of pictures and tried to fit as much Vegas into those three days as possible. For me this was the perfect amount of time and I left feeling like I had seen and done everything that I had wanted to. I also did a lot of prior research before by reading blog posts and watching vlogs so hopefully this post can help you out the way other people's posts helped me to get organized and nail down my "Vegas Goals" if you plan to go someday.  

Where I Stayed: Treasure Island
Of course one of the things that Las Vegas is known for is their abundance of hotels. We chose Treasure Island because it was one of the lesser expensive ones yet still nice and in a good location on the strip. There is a Starbucks inside the hotel as well as just outside which I hit up 2/3 mornings for a breakfast sandwich and yogurt parfait before starting the day. The rooms are also nice and the staff was accommodating and helpful!

Things to See: The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden
One of the first things that I would highly recommend checking out is the Bellagio Conservatory. Located in the Bellagio Hotel, this space is a peaceful parallel to the busy streets outside. It is such a relaxing space and the floral displays are stunning! The designs change each season and definitely create an "Insta-worthy" spot! 

Breakfast/Lunch Spot: Pantry
Another 'Insta-worthy" spot is Pantry located inside The Mirage. We stopped here for lunch one day and it was super cute! They offer a "Breakfast" menu all day as well as a "Eat this if you're not in the mood for breakfast" menu. I had a veggie sandwich with fries and it was so good! 

Things to See: Shoppes/Floral Display at the Palazzo
The Shoppes at the Palazzo is a nice space to walk through and explore. We ran into this gorgeous floral display as well that featured a spinning carousel and hot air balloon of dreams.

Quick Lunch: Bellagio Patisserie
Yes this is a crepe that was made fresh, yes it is huge, yes that is chipotle sauce, yes it was delicious. The Bellagio Patisserie is a great spot is you want to grab a quick, "waiter-less" lunch or breakfast. Their menu offers a variety of pastries, crepes, sandwiches, etc and most of the food is made fresh as you order.

The Best Dinner: Lago
Located inside the Bellagio, Lago by Julian Serrano was the nicest dinner I had during my stay. Simply put, the food was absolutely delicious! The plates are smaller in size but for me the portion was perfect and you can bet I cleaned my plate! I had the cannelloni which was without a doubt the best I've ever had, the meat was so tender and the sauce perfection. They also have outdoor seating which books up quick but offers a gorgeous view of the Bellagio fountains. 

Things to See: Fountains of Bellagio
I have to be honest, when it came to seeing these iconic fountains I knew it was a must do but, I wondered how impressive a "water show" would actually be? Well let me tell you...it was beautiful and mesmerizing! The music mixed with the lighted water that would sky rocket with crescendos made me think this must be what Belle felt like in "Be Our Guest". The water came to life and if you come to Vegas you must check it out!

 

Tres Chic Breakfast/Brunch Spot: Mon Ami Gabi
If you are looking for a classy atmosphere to have a relaxing brunch I would recommend giving "Mon Ami Gabi" a go. They are located just outside the Paris hotel and have an array of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. There is outdoor seating that looks out onto the strip and Bellagio fountains across the street. The food and service is top quality and is a great way to start the day.

Things to See: The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel
This sanctuary located behind the Flamingo Hotel is home to some lovely and iconic pink flamingos. They are so cute and offer a unique way to spend some time away front the busy strip...also "insta-worthy".

"Damn Good" Dinner: Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill
I love me some MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen so I was eager to try one of Mr. Ramsay's many spots on the strip. The pub is located inside Caesar's Palace, directly across from The Colosseum, where Celine Dion's show takes place, making it a perfect pre-show early dinner spot. I ordered the tomato soup which was the best I've ever had and the perfect portion. The menu offers classic English dishes as well as some more "American-esque" options. This is definitely somewhere that I would want to go back to for a more full on later meal!

The Main Event: Celine Dion at Caesars Palace
Simply put, Celine Dion is what brought me to Vegas. It has been a dream of mine to see her for a very long time and I always thought it would be a very long time until I ever might even be able to see her in concert. So when I was surprised with tickets to see her, I cried and basically couldn't believe it was happening until I sat down in that theater and she walked out on stage. 

I always believed this but can actually confirm after seeing her show, that Celine Dion is without a doubt the definition of a lovely human being. She is humble, thankful, hilarious, and just as talented now as she was when she first started out. She was raw and honest with what she was feeling and left everything on that stage. 

You know you've been to a good show when you walk out and would give anything to come back the next night and the next to see it all over again! I would literally fly down there for a day, see her show and fly home, which may or may not be added to my bucket list and remain there each year... Seeing her show on the last day of my trip was the perfect way to end my Vegas experience.

I hope this post was helpful if you are considering or planning on going to Las Vegas. I tried to include as many links as possible and will list some of the vlogs I watched and blog posts I read that helped me to plan my trip.
Also, this post post is in no way sponsored.

Have you been to Vegas before and have other favorites??

Vegas Vlogs & Blogs I watched/read:

-"How to Spend One Day in Vegas" -In the Frow

-In the Frow Vegas Vlog

-Lynette Marie Vegas Vlog, another one by Lynette

-Las Vegas for First Timers -The Belle Voyage

Warehouse Frills

Hey lovely reader! Today I wanted to share a look with you centered on a purchase I made from Warehouse while living in London. I discovered this brand while having an exploring shopping day around Carnaby and Oxford Street, would highly recommend stopping in their store if you ever get the chance! Luckily they have a US website as well so be sure to have a look!

Sweater: Exact, Similar
Pants: ASOS Similar, Nordstrom Similar
Boots: ASOS Similar, Nordstrom Similar

Very Chic Tassels

Hello lovely reader! One of my goals for 2018 for this blog is to bring back the fashion focus. I want to keep things simple, chic, and informative providing links and details to outfits. I want to share pieces that I personally own and love as well as ones that I am seeing in the world, in person and through social media.

     This look combines two of my favorite pieces that I have purchased within the last few months. The first being the gorgeous burgundy top with a high neck and tassel (Zara refers to them as pompoms) trim along the bottom. What I really liked about this top was that it has the cut of a classic piece but also a simple detail that brings a bit more fun and energy to it. It can also be dressed up or down by pairing with black pants as I did here or with a skinny jean. I think that it's also perfect for an environment where you may need to be business professional or casual but still want to show some style.
     The shoes are one of my other favorite purchases, I'm quite sure anyone who works in fashion or follows it would agree that the Gucci loafers were one of the defining pieces to come out of 2017. Every high end blogger had the exacts and every fast fashion retailer had the dupes it seemed like almost over night! While the actual Gucci loafers are still the dream, I wasn't quite ready to make that type of a financial commitment and so I looked all over for shoes of a similar style. I tried on multiple pairs but struggled to find ones that were actually comfortable and didn't look super cheap! When I found this pair by Steve Madden it was like a saving grace! The soles are so comfortable and the leather around the back is super soft so they don't dig into your heels like the other pairs I had tried on. 

Top: Zara - Exact & on Sale!
Shoes: Steve Madden - Exact
Pants: Similar & on Sale, Similar & exacts that Zara styled with top


Are there any details you are loving in fashion right now? Xx

The Perfect Sunny Afternoon | Notting Hill - Kensington

 Hi lovely reader! We are nearing the end of spring and summer is coming quickly which means more sunshine and warmer weather and with that more opportunities to be outside! Since living in London my view on weather has changed in that when it is sunny, I am more aware of it and appreciate it, feeling like I need to take full advantage of this time and do as much outside as possible! So I thought I would share my ideal day out in London, including where to eat and what to see, and some insta-worthy spots. Notting Hill is a great area with tons of shops and restaurants and of course pastel colored houses that lead to OOTD and Instagram pic goals. Kensington Palace is not far from the main area of Notting Hill and of course houses the royals and some gorgeous gardens which are really worth seeing in the spring and summer. 

Like I said, so cute and picture ready. There are multiple side streets with these colorful homes just off Portobello Road.

Of course you have to start the day off with some breakfast and Eggbreak is too cool of a place to pass up. As with many brunch spots, the place is smaller so there may be a line but don't let this scare you away as it typically moves pretty fast. They serve breakfast items from 8am-12pm so just make sure you give yourself enough time to wait. I got the McMuffin when I went which is of course a play on the golden arches classic but with much more natural ingredients and was really nice. They also serve "regular food" from 12-10pm which I have heard is good as well. And of course after eating breakfast there is no better way to walk it off than with some shopping.

Portobello Road is packed with little shops such as Alice's which is worth a peak inside to see the amount of things in the store! Some of my favorite shops are Ragyard which does really cool clothing and accessories and The Blue Door which has a mix of teas and tea-ware. Portobello Road Market is definitely worth going to and is up at these times:
09:00 – 18:00 Monday To Wednesday.
09:00 – 13:00 Thursday.
09:00 – 19:00 Friday Antique stalls
If you can go on one of these days you'll see everything from flower stands, to tapestries, to old post cards, and souvenirs. 

After you've done some walking and shopping, Farm Girl cafe is the perfect place to have a nice lunch. Now, I will admit that after seeing blogger after blogger post about this place on Instagram I wondered if the food was actually good or if it was just picturesque. So in my honest opinion and based on what I had to eat, the taste and quality of the food is just as good as the amount of photo opportunities, if not better. 

I had a Chicken sandwich which was full of flavor. There was beetroot on it which prior to ordering it I was unsure about but it was actually delicious and one of my favorite sandwich or salad additions now. I also go a side of sweet potato fries which were seasoned to perfection and so good.

 

After lunch you can take a walk or a tube to Kensington Palace where you can relax and enjoy some time outside strolling through the gardens or sitting in the park.

Where's your favorite place to take in some beautiful weather? Xx

Chicago Shopping | Mini Haul

Hi lovely reader! Yesterday I shared my "Chicago Photo Diary" with you and today I wanted to share some of the things I purchased while in the city with a mini haul! 

One of the first things that I purchased was from Sephora and it is this "fresh cream" rollerball by philosophy.  It smells absolutely delicious, like cupcakes and frosting at a sweet soiree. It is by far     one of my favorite scents that I have owned and I will definitely be purchasing a bottle when my rollerball runs out!

I love this t-shirt so much! I purchased it from the Disney Store and think it is absolutely perfect. The black bands around the neck and sleeves sold me for sure. The only downside to it was that it was a large, but I think with a careful wash, it might shrink a bit and be perfect with some skinny jeans, classic reeboks, and a scrunchie. 

Speaking of scrunchies, I purchased these two from Topshop. I love the prints because I think that they will go with a lot. They also have the wiring in the bow bit so that you can adjust them to lay how you like. 

I have been really into marbled things lately so I was excited when I found these double sided earrings at Nordstrom. The marbled ball goes in the front and then the gold cubes in the back. I like that they are versatile too, if your hair is down you don't really see the backs as much but with an updo, both sides show and make for a cool look.

Last but not lease, I purchased these Steve Madden "Purfect Flats" from Nordstrom Rack. I was drawn to these because the neutral and black color will go well with most of my closet and also because I see these as being able to be worn with jean shorts and a tshirt, as well as a nice summer dress.

So there are some of my favorite purchases from my time in Chicago, where do you like to shop in the city? Xx